Savvy distribution and supply chain managers should be looking at sortation and its related disciplines as a means of addressing problems and achieving savings, writes Jay Moris of Invata Intralogistics.

Pilot program uses drones to deliver time-sensitive goods; Canadian government lines up two new bilateral trade agreements; Labor rights causing supply chain disruption; Using social media to understand carrier usage.

E-commerce presents retailers with challenges and opportunities; Food regulation top of mind for 3PLs and shippers; Daktronics’ lean machine keeps production at home; Nike partners with Bluesign Technologies to facilitate sustainable sourcing program among supply chain partners.

Online retailers seeking new sites for DCs and warehouses need the transportation infrastructure to support a constant, rapid-fire flow of shipments – plus a capable workforce, affordable utilities, and business incentives to help them get the most from their investment.

Retailers and shippers need to find ways to meet consumers’ changing demand for home delivery services, while maintaining adequate margins and finding new avenues for continued growth, writes Foster Finley of AlixPartners.

Continuous e-commerce growth has prompted an increasing number of retailers to use third-party logistics (3PL) providers for handling their direct-to-consumer fulfillment. Jeffrey B. Graves of Sedlak Management Consultants explains that for retail logistics executives, assessing 3PL capabilities that best fit their company’s requirements can be a challenge, yet critical for optimum return on investment (ROI)

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Catalent upgraded its Philadelphia packaging center’s high-bay warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) served by three aisle-changing stacker cranes developed by LTW Intralogistics.

Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) can be an efficient materials handling option for warehouses and distribution centers, but they are not right for every facility. Norm Saenz, senior vice president and principal, TranSystems Corporation, offers advice on deciding if AS/RS is right for your facility.

New e-commerce sites like Groupon and LivingSocial can bring huge sales volume in a very short period of time by reaching a targeted audience with appealing offers. Tod Yazdi of TAGGlogistics explains how shippers can work with fulfillment partners to make the most of this new opportunity.

Thanks to e-commerce, many distribution centers are now fulfilling a greater number of smaller orders – rendering conventional materials handling automation systems somewhat outdated. Is flexible automation the next frontier?

RFID technologies allow computers, objects, and individuals to interact in new ways, supplying logistics providers and materials handlers with predictable and actionable data to enhance their service offerings and operations, explains Ravi Pappu of ThingMagic.

For shipping and receiving, there are three types of pallet programs: single-use or one-way, extended-use or buy/sell, and leasing or rental. Hillary Femal of IFCO Systems describes the uses and benefits of each type.

Smart companies carefully select and intelligently apply automation not only to boost productivity, but also to turn the distribution center into a competitive weapon, writes Mick Mountz of Kiva Systems Inc.